Macquarie Helicopter Leasing Business Takes Off

Australian investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd. has boosted its offshore exposure, with the launch of U.S.-based Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing, a helicopter operator and lessor targeting sectors like oil and gas and medical transport.

“We are pleased to be able to build upon the experience and success of Macquarie’s commercial aviation and rail leasing business with the launch of this new business,” Stephen Cook, Macquarie’s global head of transportation finance, said in a statement. “”We believe this market sector is a logical and attractive extension of our current leasing offerings.”

A firefighting helicopter from Apple Valley, California takes off in the Peeples Valley, Arizona

European Pressphoto Agency

Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing will invest in a variety of assets — including twin-turbine helicopters — and lease them to operators around the world. It believes customers will benefit from managing the size of the fleets according to their needs, and less exposure to the depreciation costs of owning aircraft outright.

The group bolsters Macquarie’s corporate and asset finance division, which currently contributes almost 30% of the bank’s earnings before tax and profit share.

As at March 31, the unit managed more than 22 billion Australian dollars (US$20.3 billion) of assets for clients across 40 countries. It also owns Macquarie AirFinance, which offers airlines operating leases on their aircraft. Other businesses offer lease financing to rail operators in Europe and North America.